Heather - Maple Pass Loop — Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024

The parking here is no joke. We decided to take the “second shift” and arrived midday. We were able to get a good parking spot with a bit of patience. There were SO. MANY. illegally parked cars. Either be patient, come on a weekday, or find a different hike instead of parking like an asshole.

The bathrooms were fairly clean and well stocked with toilet paper. The trailhead has all the info you need. Make sure you pay your usage fee!

The trail is incredibly busy at this time, but most people are being respectful. We only saw a few people completely off the trail, ignoring restoration signs. Lots of friendly folks, but be prepared to be stuck in a literal line as you hike.

The larches are in full swing, as is the other fall foliage. The views of the surrounding mountains were incredible. We did the hike counter clockwise and added the Lake Ann spur. Total distance was 8.7 miles with about 2200 ft elevation gain.